SEC Power Rankings: Multiple teams rising ahead of loaded Week 5 slate

Multiple teams are rising in the latest SEC football power rankings ahead of a loaded Week 5 slate for the conference.

For the first time this season, some SEC football teams did not play this past Saturday due to a bye week.

In all, a total of four teams were not in action, but even despite that, there were still a few noteworthy matchups across the SEC, coming both in-and-out of conference.

This included one of college football's games of the week in Norman, as well as a challenging road trip for a SEC team needing a big victory in Coral Gables.

As with week's past, the conference saw a variety of different results take place in these games, with some SEC team's picking up statement victories, while others added a result to the loss column on their resume.

Here is a look at the latest SEC football power rankings entering what is shaping up to be a loaded Week 5 of the 2025 season.

16. Kentucky Wildcats

Sep 13, 2025; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Kentucky Wildcats quarterback Cutter Boley (8) hands the ball off to running back Seth McGowan (3) during the first quarter against the Eastern Michigan Eagles at Kroger Field. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-Imagn Images

  • Previous Ranking: No. 16

Kentucky was the first-of-four SEC team's to not play this past Saturday due to a bye week.

The Wildcats sit at 2-1 overall (0-1 SEC) entering a road trip to South Carolina this Saturday.

15. Florida Gators

Sep 20, 2025; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Florida Gators quarterback DJ Lagway (2) looks on from the field against the Miami Hurricanes during the first quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

  • Previous Ranking: No. 14

The Florida Gators' struggles continued this past Saturday night, falling on the road at Miami by a final score of 26-7. In the loss, Florida racked up only 141 yards of total offense, with the Gators also throwing for only 61 through the air in a game where the Hurricanes pulled away late.

Now riding a three-game losing streak, Florida sits at 1-3 overall (0-1 SEC) entering a bye week.

14. Arkansas Razorbacks

Sep 20, 2025; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks quarterback Taylen Green (10) hands the ball to running back Braylen Russell (0) during the first half against the Memphis Tigers at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Wesley Hale-Imagn Images

  • Previous Ranking: No. 13

Arkansas was the first SEC team to play this past Saturday, falling on the road at Memphis by a final score of 32-31 in a game where the Razorbacks originally held a 28-17 lead at halftime. The Razorbacks posted 500 yards of total offense in the loss, but allowed 489 to Memphis defensively, as well as committed three turnovers that included a costly fumble late from running back Mike Washington Jr..

Now sitting at 2-2 overall (0-2 SEC), Arkansas will play one of the SEC's top nonconference matchups of Week 5, coming at home against Notre Dame.

13. Mississippi State Bulldogs

Sep 13, 2025; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs running back Fluff Bothwell (24) runs with the ball against the Alcorn State Braves during the second quarter at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Credit: Wesley Hale-Imagn Images

  • Previous Ranking: No. 15

Mississippi State remained undefeated Saturday with a 38-10 home win over Northern Illinois. A game in which the Bulldogs pulled away during the second half, Mississippi State out-gained Northern Illinois in terms of total yardage, 452-267, led by 292 and four touchdowns on the ground.

The Bulldogs sit at 4-0 overall entering their SEC opener this week at home against Tennessee.

12. South Carolina Gamecocks

Sep 20, 2025; Columbia, Missouri, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks quarterback LaNorris Sellers (16) throws a pass against the Missouri Tigers during the second half of the game at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images

  • Previous Ranking: No. 10

South Carolina dropped their second consecutive SEC game over the weekend, falling on the road at Missouri by a final score of 29-20. A game in which the Gamecocks led 20-18 entering the fourth quarter, South Carolina went on to be shutout over the game's final frame, and were also limited to -9 rushing yards for the entire game.

The Gamecocks are now 2-2 overall (0-2 SEC) entering a home conference showdown with Kentucky.

11. Auburn Tigers

Sep 20, 2025; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Auburn Tigers quarterback Jackson Arnold (11) throws during the first half against the Oklahoma Sooners at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

  • Previous Ranking: No. 12

Auburn suffered its' first loss of the season Saturday on the road at Oklahoma in a ranked matchup, falling by a final score of 24-17. In what was Jackson Arnold's return to Norman, the Tigers were out-gained in total yardage, 303-287, and struggled at times in terms of protecting the quarterback, allowing 10 sacks to the Sooners defense.

The Tigers are now 3-1 overall (0-1 SEC) entering another challenging road trip in Week 5 to Texas A&M.

10. Missouri Tigers

Sep 20, 2025; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Missouri Tigers quarterback Beau Pribula (9) throws a pass against the South Carolina Gamecocks during the second half of the game at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images

  • Previous Ranking: No. 11

Missouri remained undefeated Saturday with a big 29-20 home conference win over South Carolina. The Tigers won the game late with an 11-0 advantage in the fourth quarter, capping a solid performance from Missouri where they finished with 285 yards rushing, a majority of which came from Ahmad Hardy.

Now sitting at 4-0 overall (1-0 SEC), Missouri will host Massachusetts this weekend.

9. Vanderbilt Commodores

Vanderbilt quarterback Drew Dickey (7) runs in a touchdown against Georgia State during the fourth quarter at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025.

  • Previous Ranking: No. 9

Vanderbilt had one of its' most impressive offensive performances in recent memory this past Saturday, defeating Georgia State at home by a final score of 70-21. A game in which the Commodores held a commanding 42-9 lead entering halftime, Vanderbilt out-gained Georgia State in total yardage, 635-290, led by a strong rushing attack which finished with 286 combined yards and eight touchdowns on the ground.

The Commodores are still undefeated at 4-0 overall (1-0 SEC) entering a home nonconference matchup against Utah State.

8. Alabama Crimson Tide

Sep 13, 2025; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson (15) passes against Wisconsin at Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby-USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images

  • Previous Ranking: No. 8

Alabama was the second of those aforementioned team's to not play Saturday due to a bye week.

The Crimson Tide are 2-1 overall ahead of their SEC opener in Week 5 at Georgia.

7. Oklahoma Sooners

Sep 20, 2025; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver Isaiah Sategna III (5) reacts after catching a touchdown pass during the first half against the Auburn Tigers at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

  • Previous Ranking: No. 7

Oklahoma picked up one of the SEC's biggest victories in Week 4, winning a back-and-forth home contest against Auburn. The Sooners defense was likely the story in the win by racking up 10 total sacks and 14 TFL, while starting quarterback John Mateer completed 24-of-36 passes for 271 yards and two total touchdowns.

Remaining undefeated at 4-0 overall (1-0 SEC), Oklahoma now enters a bye week.

6. Ole Miss Rebels

Sep 20, 2025; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels quarterback Trinidad Chambliss (6) hands the ball off to running back Kewan Lacy (5) during the first quarter against the Tulane Green Wave at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

  • Previous Ranking: No. 6

Ole Miss had an impressive performance Saturday at home against Tulane, eventually defeating the Green Wave by a final score of 45-10. A game in which the Rebels held a 23-3 lead at halftime, the Rebels held a 548-282 in terms of total yardage, and were led by yet another strong showing from quarterback Trinidad Chambliss who completed 17-of-27 passes for 307 yards and two touchdowns, while also rushing for 112 yards.

The Rebels remain undefeated at 4-0 overall (2-0 SEC) ahead of a massive Week 5 home matchup against LSU.

5. Tennessee Volunteers

Tennessee quarterback Joey Aguilar (6) holds off UAB safety Pierre Royster (7) during an NCAA college football game on September 20, 2025, in Knoxville, Tennessee.

  • Previous Ranking: No. 5

Tennessee took care of business Saturday at home, routing UAB by a final score of 56-24. The Volunteers entered halftime of the game with a commanding 42-7 lead, and racked up 510 yards of total offense overall in the victory, with 235 and four touchdowns coming on the ground.

Now sitting at 3-1 overall (0-1 SEC), Tennessee will play their first true road game of the season at Mississippi State in Week 5.

4. Texas A&M Aggies

Sep 13, 2025; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Marcel Reed (10) looks to make a pass during the first half against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael Caterina-Imagn Images

  • Previous Ranking: No. 4

Texas A&M was the third SEC team to not play this past weekend due to a bye week.

The Aggies are undefeated at 3-0 overall ahead of their SEC opener this Saturday at home against Auburn.

3. LSU Tigers

Sep 20, 2025; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; LSU Tigers wide receiver Barion Brown (6) and LSU Tigers quarterback Garrett Nussmeier (18) react to scoring a touchdown against the Southeastern Louisiana Lions during the first half at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

  • Previous Ranking: No. 3

LSU posted its' most lopsided result so far this season during Week 4, routing Southeastern Louisiana at home by a final score of 56-10. A game which the Tigers held a commanding 35-0 halftime lead, LSU out-gained the Lions in total yardage, 530-204, and were led by a stellar performance from quarterback Garrett Nussmeier who completed 25-of-31 passes for 273 yards and three touchdowns.

The Tigers remain undefeated at 4-0 overall (1-0 SEC) ahead of a challenging road trip to Ole Miss this weekend.

2. Texas Longhorns

Sep 20, 2025; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns tight end Jordan Washington (84) and teammates react after Washington scored a touchdown during the first half against the Sam Houston Bearkats at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images

  • Previous Ranking: No. 2

Texas did exactly what most expected the Longhorns to do at home Saturday, routing Sam Houston by a final score of 55-0. A dominant showing, Texas out-gained Sam Houston in total yardage, 607-113, and were led by a strong performance from quarterback Arch Manning with 309 yards passing and five total touchdowns.

The Longhorns are now 3-1 overall entering a bye week.

1. Georgia Bulldogs

Sep 13, 2025; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Gunner Stockton (14) throws a pass during the second half against the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Alan Poizner-Imagn Images

  • Previous Ranking: No. 1

Georgia remains in the top spot as the final SEC team that did not play Saturday due to a bye week.

The undefeated Bulldogs are 3-0 overall (1-0 SEC) entering a Week 5 home game against Alabama.

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This article originally appeared on Roll Tide Wire: Missouri, Mississippi State rise in Week 5 SEC football power rankings

Category: General Sports